Orioles Bench Coach Chirinos Won’t Return for 2026 Season
BALTIMORE – Robinson Chirinos will not be returning as the Baltimore Orioles’ bench coach for the 2026 season, a source confirmed. The club has not yet officially announced the news.
Chirinos, 41, began his major league coaching career in 2025, initially hired by then-manager Brandon Hyde. Following Hyde’s dismissal on May 17, Chirinos continued in his role alongside interim manager Tony Mansolino, who transitioned from third base coach.
A veteran of 11 Major League seasons between 2011 and 2022, Chirinos concluded his playing career with the Orioles in 2022. during that season, he served as a mentor to rookie catcher Adley Rutschman while posting a .179 batting average and a .552 OPS in 67 games.
Chirinos was a natural choice to fill the bench coach position for 2025 after Fredi González’s departure, reuniting him with a former manager in Hyde.
Now, with Craig Albernaz taking the helm as Orioles manager – hired on Monday – a new coaching staff is taking shape. The Orioles finished the 2025 season with a 75-87 record, placing last in the American League East after reaching the postseason in the prior two years.
in addition to Chirinos’ departure, assistant hitting coaches Sherman Johnson and Tommy Joseph will also not be returning next season. Johnson has accepted a position as minor league hitting coordinator for the chicago White Sox.
it remains unclear which,if any,coaches from the 2025 staff will be retained as Albernaz assembles his team. Albernaz, previously the Guardians’ bench coach and assistant manager under Stephen Vogt, understands the importance of a strong, trusted bench coach, having worked alongside Vogt to lead Cleveland to consecutive American League Central titles.
